Amplified Bible (AMP)

The Prophet Azariah Warns Asa

1 Now the Spirit of God came on Azariah the son of Oded,

2 and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the Lordis with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him, as your soul’s first necessity], He will let you find Him; but if you abandon (turn away from) Him, He will abandon (turn away from) you.

3 Now for a long time Israel was without the true God and without a teaching priest, and without [God’s] law.

4 But when they were in their troubleanddistress they turned to the LordGod of Israel, and [in desperation earnestly] sought Him, and He let them find Him.

5 In those times there was no peace for him who went out or for him who came in, for great suffering came on all the inhabitants of the lands.

6 Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every kind of distress.

7 But as for you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.”

Asa’s Reforms

8 And when Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Azariah the son of Oded the prophet, he took courage and removed the repulsive idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities which he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. Then he restored the altar [of burnt offering] of the Lordwhich was in front of the porch [of the temple] of the Lord.

9 He gathered all Judah and Benjamin and the strangers who were with them out of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon, for they came over to Asa from Israel in large numbers when they saw that the Lordhis God was with him.

10 So they assembled at Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of Asa’s reign.

11 They sacrificed to the Lordon that day from the spoil they had brought–700 oxen and 7,000 sheep.

12 They entered into a covenant (solemn agreement) to seek the LordGod of their fathers with all their heart and soul;

13 and that whoever would not seek the LordGod of Israel, was to be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman.

14 They swore an oath to the Lordwith a loud voice, with [jubilant] shouting, with trumpets, and with horns.

15 All Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought Him with their whole heart, and He let them find Him. So the Lordgave them rest on every side.

16 He also removed Maacah, King Asa’s mother, fromthe position ofqueen mother, because she had made a repulsive image for [the goddess] Asherah. Asa cut down her idol, crushed it, and burned it at the Brook Kidron.

17 But the high places [of pagan worship] were not removed from Israel. Nevertheless Asa’s heart was blameless all his days.

18 He brought the things that his father [Abijah] had dedicated and those things that he had dedicated into the house of God–silver and gold and utensils.

19 And there was no war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa’s reign.

Asa Wars against Baasha

1 In thethirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah and fortified Ramah in order to preventanyonefrom going out or coming in to [meet with] Asa king of Judah.

2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the Lordand from the king’s house, and sent them to Ben-hadad king of Aram (Syria), who lived in Damascus, saying,

3 “Let there bea treaty between you and me, as there was between my father and your father. Look, I am sending you silver and gold; go, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.”

4 Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they attackedandconquered Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim, and all the storage cities of Naphtali.

5 When Baasha heard about it, he ceased fortifying Ramah and stopped his work.

6 Then King Asa brought all Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with which Baasha had been building, and with them he fortified Geba and Mizpah.

Asa Imprisons the Prophet

7 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, “Because you relied on the king of Aram (Syria) and did not rely on the Lordyour God, the army of the king of Aram (Syria) has escaped out of your hand.

8 Were not the Ethiopians and Lubim a huge army with a great number of chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the Lord, He placed them in your hand.

9 For the eyes of the Lordmove to and fro throughout the earth so that He may support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this; therefore, from now on you will have wars.”

10 Then Asa was angry with the seer and put him in prison [in the stocks], for he was enraged with him because of this. And at the same time Asa oppressed some of the people.

11 Now the acts of Asa, from the first to the last, are written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.

12 In thethirty-ninth year of his reign Asa developed a disease in his feet. His disease was severe, yet even in his illness he did not seek the Lord, but [relied only on] the physicians.

13 So Asa slept with his fathers [in death], dying in the forty-first year of his reign.

14 They buried him in his own tomb which he had cut out for himself in the City of David, and they laid him on a bier which he had filled with various kinds of spices blended by the perfumers’ art; and they made a very great fire in his honor.

Jehoshaphat Succeeds Asa

1 Jehoshaphat his son then became king [of Judah] in Asa’s place, and strengthened his position over Israel.

2 He placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which his father Asa had captured.

His Good Reign

3 The Lordwas with Jehoshaphat because hefollowed the example of his father (ancestor) David. He did not seek [to follow] the Baals [the false gods],

4 but sought the God of his father, and walked in (obeyed) His commandments, and did not act as Israel did.

5 Therefore the Lordestablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great wealth and honor.

6 His heart was encouragedandhe took great pride in the ways of the Lord; moreover, he again removed the high places [of pagan worship] and the Asherim from Judah.

7 Then in the third year of his reign he sent his officials, Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah;

8 and with them were the Levites–Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah; and with them the priests Elishama and Jehoram.

9 They taught in Judahhavingthe Book of the Law of the Lordwith them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.

10 Now the dread of the Lordwas on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.

11 Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat; the Arabians also brought him flocks: 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats.

12 So Jehoshaphat became greater and greater. He built fortresses and storage cities in Judah.

13 He had large supplies in the cities of Judah, and soldiers, courageous men, in Jerusalem.

14 This was the number of them by their fathers’ (ancestors’) households: of Judah, the commanders of thousands, Adnah the commander, and with him 300,000 courageous men;

15 and next to him was Jehohanan the commander, and with him 280,000;

16 and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who volunteered for the Lord, and with him 200,000 courageous men;

17 and of Benjamin: Eliada, a brave man, and with him 200,000 men armed with bow and shield;

18 and next to him was Jehozabad, and with him 180,000 armedandready for military service.

19 These are the ones who were in the service of the king, besides those he had placed in fortified cities throughout Judah.

Jehoshaphat Allies with Ahab

1 Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor, and was allied bymarriage with Ahab.

2 Some years later he went down to [visit] Ahab in Samaria. And Ahab slaughtered many sheep and oxen for him and the people who were with him, and induced him to go up against Ramoth-gilead.

3 Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me to [fight against] Ramoth-gilead?” He answered, “I am as you are, and my people as your people [your hopes and concerns are ours];we will bewith you in the battle.”

4 Further, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquirefirst for the word of the Lord.”

5 Then the king of Israel assembled the prophets, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for God will hand it over to the king.”

6 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lordstill here by whom we may inquire?”

7 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, but I hate him, for he never prophesies [anything] good for me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so [perhaps this time it will be different].”

Ahab’s False Prophets Assure Victory

8 Then the king of Israel called for an officer and said, “Bring Micaiah the son of Imla quickly.”

9 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting, each on his throne, arrayed in their robes; they were sitting at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them.

10 Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made horns of iron for himself; and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans (Syrians) until they are destroyed.’”

11 All the prophets prophesied this, saying, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and succeed; the Lordwill hand it over to the king.”

Micaiah Brings Word from God

12 The messenger who went to call Micaiah said to him, “Listen, the words of the prophets are of one accord,foretelling afavorableoutcomefor the king. So just let your word be like one of them and speak favorably.”

13 But Micaiah said, “As the Lordlives, I will [only] speak what my God says.”

14 When he came to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?” And he said, “Go up and succeed, for they will be handed over to you.”

15 Then the king said to him, “How many times must I warn you (make you swear an oath) to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?”

16 Then Micaiah said,

“I saw all [the people of] Israel

Scattered on the mountains,

As sheep that have no shepherd;

And the Lordsaid,

‘These have no master.

Let each one return to his house in peace.’”

17 Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good in regard to me, but [only] evil?”

18 So Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lordsitting on His throne, and all the host (army) of heaven standing on His right and on His left.

19 Then the Lordsaid, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel to go up and fall [defeated] at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said this and another said that.

20 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lordand said, ‘I will entice him.’ The Lordsaid to him, ‘By what means?’

21 He said, ‘I will go out and be a deceptive spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ Then the Lordsaid, ‘You are to entice him and also succeed. Go and do so.’

22 Now, you see, the Lordput a deceptive spirit in the mouth of these prophets of yours; and the Lordhas [actually] proclaimed disaster against you.”

23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came up and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “Which way did the Spirit of the Lordgo [when he departed] from me to speak to you?”

24 Micaiah said, “Behold, you will see on that day when you go into an inner room [desperately trying] to hide yourself.”

25 Then the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king’s son,

26 and say, ‘Thus says the king: “Put this man in prison and feed him just enough bread and water to survive until I return in peace (safely).”’”

27 But Micaiah said, “If you actually return in peace, the Lordhas not spoken by me.” And he added, “Listen [to what I have said], you people, all of you.”

Ahab’s Defeat and Death

28 So [Ahab] the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up against Ramoth-gilead.

29 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and will go into battle, but you put on your [royal] robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into the battle.

30 Now the king ofAram (Syria) had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, “Do not fight with the small or the great, but only with the king of Israel.”

31 So when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat [of Judah], they said, “It is the king of Israel!” So they turned to fight against him, but Jehoshaphat called out [for God’s help], and the Lordhelped him; and God diverted them away from him.

32 When the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.

33 Then a certain man drew his bow at random and struck [Ahab] the king of Israel between the scales ofhisarmor. So Ahab said to his chariot driver, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, because I am seriously wounded.”

34 The battle raged that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot in front of the Arameans (Syrians) until the evening, and at sunset he died.

Jehu Rebukes Jehoshaphat

1 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely to his house (palace) in Jerusalem.

2 Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the ungodly and love those who hate the Lordand in doing sobringwrath from the Lordon yourself?

3 But there aresomegood things found in you, for you have removed the Asherim (idols) from the land and you have set your heart to seek God [with all your soul’s desire].”

4 So Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers.

Reforms Instituted

5 He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city,

6 and he said to the judges, “Be careful what you do, for you do not judge for man, but for the Lordwho is with you in the matter of judgment.

7 So now let the fear (reverent awe) of the Lordbe on you [to keep you from making unjust decisions]; be careful in what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lordour God, or partiality, or acceptance of a bribe.”

8 In Jerusalem also Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the fathers’householdsof Israel torenderthe judgment of the Lordand to judge disputes among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

9 Then the king commanded them, “Do this in the fear of the Lord, faithfully and wholeheartedly.

10 Whenever any dispute comes to you from your brothers (relatives) who live in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, or between statutes and judgments, you are to warn [and instruct] them so that they may not be guilty before the Lord; otherwise [God’s] wrath will come on you and your brothers. Do this and you will not be guilty.

11 Behold, Amariah the chief priest will be over you in all matters of the Lord, and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the governor of the house of Judah, in all the king’s matters; and the Levites will serve you as officers. Deal courageously, and may the Lordbe with the upright.”

Judah Invaded

1 Now it happened after this that the Moabites and the Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat.

2 Then it was reported to Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude has come against you from beyond the [Dead] Sea, out ofAram (Syria); and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is, Engedi).”

3 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set himself [determinedly, as his vital need] to seek the Lord; and he proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

4 So [the people of] Judah gathered together to seek help from the Lord; indeed they came from all the cities of Judah to seek the Lord[longing for Him with all their heart].

Jehoshaphat’s Prayer

5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lordin front of the new courtyard,

6 and said, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven? And do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, there is no one able to take a stand against You.

7 O our God, did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Your friend Abraham?

8 They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your Name, saying,

9 ‘If evil comes on us, or the sword of judgment, or plague, or famine, we will stand before this house and before You (for Your NameandYour Presence is in this house) and we will cry out to You in our distress, and You will hear and save us.’

10 Now behold, the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom You would not allow Israel to invade when they came from the land of Egypt (for they turned away from them and did not destroy them),

11 here they are, rewarding us by coming to drive us out of Your possession which You have given us as an inheritance.

12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless against this great multitude which is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

13 So all Judah stood before the Lord, with their infants, their wives, and their children.

Jahaziel Answers the Prayer

14 Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the Lordcame upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph.

15 He said, “Listen carefully, all [you people of] Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. The Lordsays this to you: ‘Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

16 ~‘Go down against them tomorrow. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the river valley, in front of the Wilderness of Jeruel.

17 ~‘Youneednot fight in thisbattle;take your positions, stand and witness the salvation of the Lordwho is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lordis with you.’”

18 Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping Him.

19 The Levites, from the sons of the Kohathites and the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise the LordGod of Israel, with a very loud voice.

Enemies Destroy Themselves

20 So they got up early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believeandtrust in the Lordyour God and you will be established (secure). Believeandtrust in His prophets and succeed.”

21 When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lordand those who praised Him in their holy (priestly) attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Praiseandgive thanks to the Lord, for His mercyandlovingkindness endure forever.”

22 When they began singing and praising, the Lordset ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were struck down [in defeat].

23 For the sons of Ammon and Moab [suspecting betrayal] rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, completely destroying them; and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

24 When [the men of] Judah came to the lookout tower of the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude, and behold, they were dead bodies lying on the ground, and no one had escaped.

25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found much among them,includingequipment, garments, and valuable things which they took for themselves, more than they could carry away; so much that they spent three days gathering the spoil.

Triumphant Return to Jerusalem

26 Then on the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, for it was there that they blessed the Lord. For that reason they named that place “The Valley of Beracah (blessing)” until today.

27 Then they returned to Jerusalem with joy, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, led by Jehoshaphat, for the Lordhad made them rejoice over their enemies.

28 They came to Jerusalem with harps, lyres, and trumpets to the house (temple) of the Lord.

29 And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the Lordhad fought against the enemies of Israel.

30 So the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest on all sides.

31 Now Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for twenty-five-years. His mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.

32 He walked in the way of his father Asa and did not depart from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord.

33 Only the high places [for pagan sacrifices] were not removed, for the people had not yet set their hearts firmly on the God of their fathers.

34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, from the first to the last, behold, they are written in the records of Jehu the son of Hanani, which are recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel.

Alliance Displeases God

35 After [all] this Jehoshaphat king of Judah made an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel, and he acted wickedly in doing so.

36 He joined him in building ships to go to Tarshish [for trade], and they built them in Ezion-geber.

37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the Lordhas broken down what you have built.” So the ships were wrecked and were unable to go to Tarshish.

Jehoram Succeeds Jehoshaphat in Judah

1 Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers [in death] and was buried with them in the City of David; and his son Jehoram became king in his place.

2 He had brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah,Azaryahu, Michael, and Shephatiah. All of these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.

3 Their father gave them many gifts of silver, gold, and valuable things, in addition to fortified cities in Judah; but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn.

4 When Jehoram had ascended over the kingdom of his father and made himself secure, he killed all his brothers with the sword [to eliminate any rivals], and some of the leaders of Israel as well.

5 Jehoram was thirty-two years of age when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.

6 He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done (for he married the daughter of Ahab), and he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.

7 Yet the Lordwould not destroy the house of David because of the covenant which He had made with David, and because He had promised to give alamp to him and to his sons forever.

Revolt against Judah

8 In the days of Jehoram Edom revolted against the rule of Judah and set up a king over themselves.

9 Then Jehoram crossed over [the Jordan River] with his commanders and all his chariots, and rose up by night and struck down the Edomites who were surrounding him and the commanders of the chariots.

10 So Edom revolted against the rule of Judah to this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time against Jehoram’s rule, because he had abandoned (turned away from) the LordGod of his fathers.

11 Moreover, he made [idolatrous] high places in the hill country of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to be unfaithful [to God], and he led Judah astray [compelling the people’s cooperation].

12 Then a letter came to Jehoram from Elijah the prophet, saying, “Thus says the LordGod of David your father (ancestor): ‘Because you have not walked in the ways of your father Jehoshaphat nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,

13 but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to be unfaithful [to God] as the house of Ahab was unfaithful, and you have also murdered your brothers, your father’s house (your own family), who were better than you,

14 behold, the Lordis going to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a great disaster;

15 and you will suffer a severe illness, an intestinal disease, until your intestines come out because of the sickness, day after day.’”

16 Then the Lordstirred up against Jehoram the spirit (anger) of the Philistines and of the Arabs who bordered the Ethiopians.

17 They came against Judah and invaded it, and carried away all the possessions found in the king’s house (palace), together with his sons and his wives; so there was not a son left to him except Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.

18 After all this, the Lordstruck Jehoram with an incurable intestinal disease.

19 Now it came about in the course of time, at the end of two years, that his intestines came out because of his disease and he died in excruciating pain. And his people did not make a funeral fireto honorhim, like the fire for his fathers.

20 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years; and he departed with no one’s regret (sorrow). They buried him in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.

Ahaziah Succeeds Jehoram in Judah

1 Then the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, his youngest son, king in his place, because the band of men (raiders) who came with the Arabs to the camp had killed all the oldersons. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah began to reign.

2 Ahaziah wastwenty-two years old when he became king and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri.

3 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his adviser [and she encouraged him] to act wickedly.

4 So he did evil in the sight of the Lordlike the house of Ahab, for they were his advisers after the death of his father, resulting in his destruction.

Ahaziah Allies with Jehoram of Israel

5 He also walked in accordance with their advice, and he went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to wage war against Hazael king of Aram (Syria) at Ramoth-gilead. And the Arameans woundedJoram (Jehoram).

6 Then he returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds they had inflicted on him at Ramah when he fought against Hazael king of Aram. AndAhaziah, the son of Jehoram king of Judah, went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.

7 But the downfall of Ahaziah was ordained by God, in that he went to Joram (Jehoram). For when he arrived there he went out [as an ally] with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the Lordhad anointed to destroy the house of Ahab.

Jehu Murders Leaders of Judah

8 It came about that when Jehu was executing judgment on the house of Ahab, he found the leaders of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah’s [murdered] brothers ministering to Ahaziah, and he killed them.

9 Jehu also searched for Ahaziah, who was hiding in Samaria; he was captured, brought to Jehu, and put to death. They buried him, for they said, “After all, he is the grandson of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lordwith all his heart.” So the house of Ahaziah had no oneleftto retain the power to rule over the kingdom.

10 Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she rose and destroyed all the royal family of the house of Judah.

11 But Jehoshabeath, the king’s daughter, took Joash the [infant] son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were being put to death, and she placed him and his nurse in the bedroom. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram [of Judah] and wife of Jehoiada the priest, hid Joash from [his grandmother] Athaliah so that she did not murder him (for Jehoshabeath was the sister of Ahaziah).

12 Joash was hidden with them in the house (temple) of God for six years, and Athaliah reigned over the land.

Jehoiada Sets Joash on the Throne of Judah

1 In the seventh year Jehoiada [the priest] summoned his courage and took the captains of hundreds: Azariah the son of Jeroham, Ishmael the son of Johanan, Azariah the son of Obed, Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri,and they enteredinto a covenant with him.

2 They went throughout Judah and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the heads of thehouseholds of thefathers (ancestors) in Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.

3 Then all the assembly made a covenant in the house of God with the king [that is, with the child Joash, to overthrow Athaliah by proclaiming his sovereignty]. And Jehoiada [the priest] said to them, “Behold, the king’s son [Joash] shall reign, as the Lordhas said in regard to the sons of David.

4 This is what you shall do: a third of you, of the priests and Levites who are resuming service on the Sabbath, shall be gatekeepers,

5 a [second] thirdshall beat the king’s house (palace), and a [final] third at the Gate of the Foundation; and all the people shall be in the courtyards of the house of the Lord.

6 But let no one enter the house (temple) of the Lordexcept the priests and the Levites who minister; they may enter, for they are holy. And let all the people carefully observe the law of the Lord.

7 The Levites shall surround the [young] king, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whoever comes into the temple [breaking through the ranks of the guard to get near Joash] is to be killed. You are to be with the king when he comes in [from the temple chamber where he is hiding] and when he goes out.”

8 So the Levites and all Judah acted in accordance with everything that Jehoiada the priest had commanded; and every man took his men who were to resume duty on the Sabbath, with those who were to go off duty on the Sabbath, for Jehoiada the priest did not dismiss [any of] the divisions [from their duties].

9 Then Jehoiada the priest gave to the captains of hundreds the spears and the large and small shields which had been King David’s, which were in the house of God.

10 He stationed all the people around the king [as guards for him], every man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side to the left side of the house (temple), by the altar and by the house.

11 Then they brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him, andgave himthe testimony [a copy of the Mosaic Law] and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him and said, “Longlive the king!”

Athaliah Killed

12 When Athaliah heard the sound of the people running and praising the king, she went into the house of the Lordto [see what] the people [were doing].

13 She looked, and there was the [young] king, standing by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpeters were beside him. And all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and the singers with their musical instruments were directing the [singing of] praise. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, “Treason! Treason!”

14 So Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds who were appointed over the army and said to them, “Bring her out between the ranks [of soldiers]; and whoever follows her shall be put to death with the sword.” For the priest had said, “Do not let her be put to death in the temple of the Lord.”

15 So they seized Athaliah, and when she arrived at the entrance of the Horse Gate of the king’s house (palace), they put her to death there.

Reforms Carried Out

16 Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, all the people, and the king, that they would be the Lord’speople.

17 Then all the people went to the house of Baal and tore it down, and they smashed its altars and its images to pieces, and killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of the altars.

18 Also Jehoiada placed the officesandofficers of the house of the Lordunder the authority of the Levitical priests, whom David had [previously] assigned over the house of the Lord, to offer the burnt offerings of the Lord, as it is written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and singing in accordance with the order of David.

19 Jehoiada stationed the gatekeepers [at the gates] of the house of the Lord, so that no one would enterwho wasin any way unclean.

20 He took the captains of hundreds, the nobles, the rulers of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought the king down from the house of the Lord; and they came through the upper gate to the king’s house (palace) and set the king on the throne of the kingdom.

21 So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been put to death with the sword.

Young Joash Influenced by Jehoiada

1 Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah from Beersheba.

2 Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lordall the days of Jehoiada the priest [his uncle].

3 Jehoiada took two wives for him, and he fathered sons and daughters.

Faithless Priests

4 Now it came about after this that Joash decided to restore the house (temple) of the Lord.

5 He gathered the priests and the Levites and said to them, “Go out to the cities of Judah and collect money from all Israel to repair the house of your God from year to year; and see that you do it quickly.” But the Levites did not act quickly.

6 So the king called for Jehoiada the highpriestand said to him, “Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax for the tent of the testimony which wasauthorized byMoses, the servant of the Lordandthe servantof the assembly of Israel?”

7 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken into the house of God and also had used all the holyanddedicated things of the house of the Lordfor the Baals.

Temple Repaired

8 So at the king’s command they made a chest and set it outside by the gate of the house of the Lord.

9 Then they made a proclamation in Judah and Jerusalem to bring in for the Lordthe tax that Moses the servant of God imposed on Israel in the wilderness.

10 All the officers and all the people rejoiced and brought their tax and dropped it into the chest until they had finished [and the chest was full].

11 It came about that whenever the Levites brought the chest to the king’s official, and whenever they saw that there was a large amount of money, the king’s secretary and the chief priest’s representative would come and empty the chest, and take it, and return it to its place. They did this day after day and collected a large amount of money.

12 The king and Jehoiada gave it to those who did the work of the service of the house of the Lord; and they would hire masons and carpenters (craftsmen) and also those who worked in iron and bronze to repairandrestore the house of the Lord.

13 So the workmen labored, and the repair work progressed in their hands; and they restoredandorganized the house of God in accordance with its specifications and strengthened it.

14 When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada; and it was [melted down and] made into utensils for the house of the Lord, utensils for ministering and for burnt offerings, and bowls and utensils of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the Lordcontinually all the days of Jehoiada.

15 Now when Jehoiada grew old and was full of days, he died. He was a hundred and thirty years old at his death.

16 They buried him in the City of David among the kings, because he had done good [things] in Israel and toward God and His house.

17 Now after the death of Jehoiada [the priest, who had hidden Joash], the officials of Judah came andbowed down to King Joash; then the king listened to them.

18 They abandoned the house of the Lord, the God of their fathers, and served theAsherim and the idols; so [God’s] wrath came on Judah and Jerusalem for their sinandguilt.

19 Yet God sent prophets among them to bring them back to the Lord; these prophets testified against them, but they would not listen.

Joash Murders Son of Jehoiada

20 Then the Spirit of God came over Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, and he stood above the people and said to them, “This is what God has said: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lordso that you cannot prosper? Because you have abandoned (turned away from) the Lord, He has also abandoned (turned away from) you.’”

21 So they conspired against Zechariah and stoned him [to death] at the command of the king, in the courtyard of the house of the Lord.

22 Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada, Zechariah’s father, had shown him, but he murdered his son. And when Zechariah was dying, he said, “May the Lordsee this and require an accounting!”

Aram Invades and Defeats Judah

23 Now it happened at the end of the year, that the army of Aram (Syria) went up against Joash. They came to Judah and Jerusalem and killed all the leaders among the people and sent all their spoil to the king of Damascus.

24 Though the army of the Arameans came with a small company of men, the Lordhanded over a very large army into their hands, because Joash and Judah had abandoned (turned away from) the Lord, the God of their fathers. So the Arameans executed judgment against Joash.

25 When they left Joash (for they left him very ill), his own servants conspired against him because of the blood of the son of Jehoiada the priest, and they murdered him on his bed. So he died, and they buried him in the City of David, but they did not bury him in the tombs of the kings.

26 The conspirators against Joash were Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess.

27 Now as to his sons and the many prophecies uttered against him and the rebuilding of the house of God, they are written in the commentary on the Book of Kings. Then his son Amaziah became king in his place.